Fire

Aim

Using fire is an integral part of the Forest School experience and ethos.   Children need to experience safe fire to reduce the risk of them putting themselves in danger.  Lighting fires under strict guidelines and safety instructions helps children to understand at first hand the risks and how they can be safely controlled and managed. 

Showing and explaining how fire works will enable children to gain a better understanding of fire and increase their safe behaviour around fire.  Our aim is for children to learn how and when to use fire appropriately.  This will make it less likely for children to experiment with fire in an uncontrolled and potentially dangerous situation.

Safe Fire Procedures

·        Always have a water container, burns first aid kit and fire proof gloves close by

 ·     The group always stay on the outside of the log circle or sitting on the logs,                  unless invited into the fire circle to cook

·    The fire will be lit by a Qualified forest Leader  

·        If approaching the fire there will be a maximum of 4 at any one time.

·        Kneel on one knee for ease of moving backwards.

·        Bags, sticks etc. are to be kept outside of the log circle area.

·        For cooking purposes the fire will be allowed to die down to a suitable size.          

·        A metal grill will be used for pots to stand on.

·        When moving pots or serving, the supervising adult will maintain a clear area             inside which no-one else is allowed.

·     In the majority of cases, GLO club will use a portable fire pit which can be                   removed after the session.    

·    Green sticks will be used as a cooking tool (e.g. for marshmallows) as they do            not ignite.

At the end of each session the fire will be extinguished whilst the children sit around the camp. This will form part of the routine of the day to highlight the importance of ensuring that a fire is fully extinguished.

 Use of a Kelly or Storm Kettle – A Kelly kettle is used to boil water.  A small fire is built in the pan at the base of the kettle, the water filled chimney is placed on top and the fire heats the jacketed water. This is not an open fire.

If used, the Kelly kettle will be placed within the fire circle and treated in the same manner as the camp fire.  The biggest potential hazard from it is a burn from touching the outside or the steam coming from the spout. It could also be knocked over. These risks are minimized by adopting the same procedures around it as a fire.